Commodore George Dewey

Occupation: I was the only officer in the U.S. Navy to be awarded the title of “Admiral of the Navy.” I graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1858, with the rank of Midshipman. In 1861, I was promoted to the rank of “Master,” and in 1903; after a long line of promotions, I was promoted to the famous rank of “ Admiral of the Navy.”
Position on Issue:
I am the commander of the fleet of ships which attacked several Spanish vessels off the Philippine coast. I was ordered by the Assistant Navy Secretary Theodore Roosevelt to attack the Philippines in case of war. This command was seconded by President McKinley. I was obviously fighting for the annexation of the Philippines when I entirely destroyed a Spanish fleet of ten ships. This venture was highly successful, because while I didn’t lose a single one of my boys, the Spanish suffered over 400 casulties.
List of Reasons for Interest:
1. The U.S. needs raw materials
2. The U.S. needs new fields of investment
3. This would be a great way station to open up trade with the Far East.
4. If we pull out, and don’t annex the Philippines, then the Germans who are close-by, will surely take them.
5. It would serve as a good perimeter defense and coaling station
6. It would be much easier to establish trade with a base near-by.


Works Cited
Prunier, James. “Admiral of the Navy George Dewey, USN”.Biographies in Naval History. 11 August 2005 http://www.history.navy.mil/bios/dewey_george.htm#bio
“Annexation of the Philippine Islands.” Spoden’s Document .http://www.spodawg32.net/files/articles/AnnexationofthePhilippineIslands.pdf
United States Becomes a World Power”. Digital History 3/29/10. http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/database/article_display.cfm?HHID=191